Intel Readies 80GB, 160GB Consumer SSDs

Intel has talked up its SSD plans for some time and talk of mouth watering products isn't new either but the chip giant now appears ready to walk the walk...
At the butt end of last week and just before IDF (our coverage is imminent) news has slipped that 1.8in 80GB and 2.5in 160GB SSDs are in the offing and end users are finally its focus. Dubbed the 'X18-M' and 'X25-M' respectively they are said to offering staggeringly fast 240MBps read speeds (even faster than Indilinx's trailblazer) but only 70MBps write speeds (still quick, but behind the near three digit rates seen recently).

Behind the M's will also be the 'X25-E' line for enterprise which will come in 32GB and 64GB capacities and be constructed from pricey SLC (single level cell) NAND for stonking 240MBps read and 170MBps write speeds. Gamers reach for your wallets...

On the plus side the X25-E and X18-M are said to launch any minute but sadly the key X25-M may well be held up until the new year. Expect to hear more of these bad boys from IDF this week (pricing perhaps?) and Intel to start throwing its considerable weight around soon after.